I began to think that a holiday isn't such a good thing when the pile of washing grew and grew and now that the pile has diminished ever so slightly I am convinced!
Our luggage must be made from the same material as the Tardis which Dr Who travels the universe in. How the hell we got all that stuff in those cases is beyond me.
Anyway ....for all who may be interested I have uploaded my holiday snaps to the web Here. My new camera has a nifty GPS system so lots f the pics are tracked on the map too and there are some video clips on youtube.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Cadiz, Lisbon, Vigo and Home
We have arrived home and have all our unpacked clothes to sort out and we are all completely knackered, well the kids seem to be still full of beans, oh to be that age once again.
Unfortunately the Internet charges on the ship are so outrageous that I refused to pay any more than the $35 that I paid when we joined the cruise for 60 minutes access, so the following recollections of our final few destinations are being done while sat having a cup of tea at home.
Cadiz was one of those surprising ports of call, where your expectations are overwhelmingly exceeded in a positive way. It is thankfully a port a stone's throw away from the bustling town centre and can easily be walked around, although there are lots of cobbled streets so wheelchair bound people might find it a challenge to negotiate without help, which brings me nicely onto my recollection. We walked through the beautiful memorial park, directly over the busy road from the port entrance and started our usual search for the shops (not my idea) when we came across a group of fellow passengers, some of which were in wheelchairs. The cobbles were not seeming to be causing any problems but an incline was fast approaching and I could see one of the group flagging a bit. I thought that her fellow travellers would come to her rescue and take hold of the handles for the short push up the hill but they just kept strolling along, we caught up with the lady and I being the gentleman I am offered to give her a push, which she gladly accepted, phew I thought, she wasn't one of those disabled types that resent any help. In fact she was quite the opposite and was glad of a helping hand, in fact I think we would have still been pushing her up the gang way if our plans to hit the shops and their plans to see the sights had been in the same direction, this was one time I was glad to search out for shops. We parted company and I headed for the nearest bench for a breather. Cadiz is like a maze of narrow, very similar looking alley ways that could quite easily have you lost in no time (so take a good map). Fortunately for me and the kids we must have missed the shopping areas and our last turn had us looking over the road to the ocean and a beautiful beach, well there was no stopping the kids and the sand and sea was soon in between their toes. We walked back to the ship along the sea front and to our amazement it was only a short walk away, if we had known that we would have spent all our time on the beach, something for Royal Caribbean to work on is looking after their guests that don't want to be fleeced by taking their tours!
Lisbon was a shit hole!! The one good thing about it was getting up early to watch us sail into port and catching the sun rise above the impressive suspension bridge.
Vigo is another of those surprising destinations. Clean, sophisticated, beautiful architecture, friendly people and enough shops to keep the weariest traveller happy! Oscar and I wandered aimlessly for a while waiting outside countless shops then decided on watching the world go by at one of the many coffee shops while the girls do what girls do. When we eventually got on board ship with 50 minutes or so to spare they decided that the hand bag seen in one of the first shops was just too good to miss out on and ran back off the ship with the sound of security guards warning them to be back on board by 3.30 or else! Thankfully they managed to get back just in time!
Our day at sea through the notorious Bay Of Biscay was one of the finest we had. The sun shone relentlessly and the wind dropped to make the afternoon sat at the Sky Bar one that will be remembered for a very long time. Thankfully we have pictures to remind us.
Those cocktails are sooooooooooooo bloody strong man!!
But that is another story ;)
I think the blogging bug has been caught and hopefully I will be back with our exploits.
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Rome and Sardinia
Rome… fabulous!
We had a great day in Rome. The Italian transport system is something that they should be proud of, except for the graffiti.
We started early and caught the train into Rome then a short hop on the Metro to the Spanish Steps and we were on our way. Four hours later and we were back on board the train trundling along the track out of Rome Termini Station. The steps, fountain, pantheon, mouth of truth, and colloseum had all been seen along with countless churches, basilicas, fountains and wonderful buildings. Our feet were aching and the heat was stifling but it was all worth it and we (without kids) will be back to sample Rome life for a longer visit in the not too distant future.
Out of all the places visited today I must say that the Pantheon was by far the most spectacular. To look up from the central brass spot and see the ceiling and the shaft of light is totally awe-inspiring. I could have spent hours inside that building, but we were on a tight schedule, worked out with military precision previous to the holiday thanks to Google and Google Maps.
Roman Holiday, starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn has been a favourite film of mine for many years and to be able to see the famous wall plaque with it’s gaping mouth was something special, and we have the pictures to prove that our hands weren’t bitten off.
We weren’t particularly impressed with the Coliseum but it was extremely hot and we were extremely tiered by this time. There were thousands of people just like us wanting to get the best snaps and avoid the street sellers trying to peddle all sorts of tat.
Back on board with plenty of time to spare and plenty of time to cool down with ice cold beer. Debra decided that she would sample her favourite cocktail and Harvey Wallbanger flowed freely. Suffice to say she was quite tipsy by the time we were going in to get ready for our evening meal. I decided to stay as I was and have a few more beers then watch the European Cup Final. Unfortunately it seems like most of the blokes on board had the same idea and it was chocka-block in the bar showing it. I stood up for half an hour or so but my feet were aching off and I was pretty bored with the footie so I went to the pizza parlour for my tea.
I must preface this part by saying that once the lights go out in the stateroom and the curtains are closed it is as black as coal. Now, after a few drinks (well maybe a few more than a few) we were all sparked out asleep, when at 1.30 am all of a sudden Olivia started screaming at the top of her lungs, which woke Debra who sat up and started screaming at the top of her lungs too while frantically trying to find a switch to turn the bedside light on. I jumped up and began flailing around trying to get my bearings and find a switch to turn on. Eventually the lights came on and calm descended. Oscar vaguely recalls something going on but doesn’t remember the commotion.
We have had a wonderful day today in Cagliari Sardinia. Laughing our heads off at what happened last night. I think another black mark has been put against our names, oh well never mind.
We will be back here at some point too!
We had a great day in Rome. The Italian transport system is something that they should be proud of, except for the graffiti.
We started early and caught the train into Rome then a short hop on the Metro to the Spanish Steps and we were on our way. Four hours later and we were back on board the train trundling along the track out of Rome Termini Station. The steps, fountain, pantheon, mouth of truth, and colloseum had all been seen along with countless churches, basilicas, fountains and wonderful buildings. Our feet were aching and the heat was stifling but it was all worth it and we (without kids) will be back to sample Rome life for a longer visit in the not too distant future.
Out of all the places visited today I must say that the Pantheon was by far the most spectacular. To look up from the central brass spot and see the ceiling and the shaft of light is totally awe-inspiring. I could have spent hours inside that building, but we were on a tight schedule, worked out with military precision previous to the holiday thanks to Google and Google Maps.
Roman Holiday, starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn has been a favourite film of mine for many years and to be able to see the famous wall plaque with it’s gaping mouth was something special, and we have the pictures to prove that our hands weren’t bitten off.
We weren’t particularly impressed with the Coliseum but it was extremely hot and we were extremely tiered by this time. There were thousands of people just like us wanting to get the best snaps and avoid the street sellers trying to peddle all sorts of tat.
Back on board with plenty of time to spare and plenty of time to cool down with ice cold beer. Debra decided that she would sample her favourite cocktail and Harvey Wallbanger flowed freely. Suffice to say she was quite tipsy by the time we were going in to get ready for our evening meal. I decided to stay as I was and have a few more beers then watch the European Cup Final. Unfortunately it seems like most of the blokes on board had the same idea and it was chocka-block in the bar showing it. I stood up for half an hour or so but my feet were aching off and I was pretty bored with the footie so I went to the pizza parlour for my tea.
I must preface this part by saying that once the lights go out in the stateroom and the curtains are closed it is as black as coal. Now, after a few drinks (well maybe a few more than a few) we were all sparked out asleep, when at 1.30 am all of a sudden Olivia started screaming at the top of her lungs, which woke Debra who sat up and started screaming at the top of her lungs too while frantically trying to find a switch to turn the bedside light on. I jumped up and began flailing around trying to get my bearings and find a switch to turn on. Eventually the lights came on and calm descended. Oscar vaguely recalls something going on but doesn’t remember the commotion.
We have had a wonderful day today in Cagliari Sardinia. Laughing our heads off at what happened last night. I think another black mark has been put against our names, oh well never mind.
We will be back here at some point too!
Friday, 21 May 2010
Toulon and Pisa
We have just got back from Pisa, which was a wonderful town …oh and there was some dodgy building work going on, you should have seen the subsidence on one of them!
We had coffee sat listening to a delightful elderly gentleman, play his violin; he must have been good as I actually put some cash in his hat! Got him n camera so you can decide for yourself if you visit my youtube page.
Getting to and from Pisa was a challenge and we were warned about a couple of likely lads working the bus and trains looking for some un-suspecting tourists to rip off. Suffice to say they didn’t get any where near my tackle!
Yesterday we were in Toulon France, which is a nice enough French town, with a lovely market selling all sorts of tat and a waterfront area that is good now but will be brilliant when finished. The scenery and harbour area is spectacular.
The highlight of the day though was the fire alarm going off, almost sending everyone running for their life preservers and decking into a lifeboat, who would have thought that Debra’s hair straighteners would cause such havoc. She was very apologetic to the security detail that came rushing down to the stateroom of course!
Rome tomorrow and now that we are seasoned travellers on Italy’s public transport system it should be a doddle. I just need to remember to keep a tight grip on my tackle!!
We had coffee sat listening to a delightful elderly gentleman, play his violin; he must have been good as I actually put some cash in his hat! Got him n camera so you can decide for yourself if you visit my youtube page.
Getting to and from Pisa was a challenge and we were warned about a couple of likely lads working the bus and trains looking for some un-suspecting tourists to rip off. Suffice to say they didn’t get any where near my tackle!
Yesterday we were in Toulon France, which is a nice enough French town, with a lovely market selling all sorts of tat and a waterfront area that is good now but will be brilliant when finished. The scenery and harbour area is spectacular.
The highlight of the day though was the fire alarm going off, almost sending everyone running for their life preservers and decking into a lifeboat, who would have thought that Debra’s hair straighteners would cause such havoc. She was very apologetic to the security detail that came rushing down to the stateroom of course!
Rome tomorrow and now that we are seasoned travellers on Italy’s public transport system it should be a doddle. I just need to remember to keep a tight grip on my tackle!!
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Gibraltar
Day three (I think) and Gibraltar came into view early. The rock is an impressive sight and docking opposite the Oceana highlighted the vastness of this vessel.
As soon as we docked the sound of sirens getting closer was ominous, some poor sod had been taken ill and it was obviously serious enough to require hospital treatment. He was strechered into the awaiting ambulance and his Wife was duly dumped off the ship along with their belongings. A thought passed briefly through my head….. I wonder if their cabin was better than ours and was a free upgrade on the cards? Or even better could we dump the kids into it for the rest of the cruise…..?
Exiting the ship and the walk into town was a breeze. We headed straight for the cable car. We got there just in time as the queue was tolerable. By the time we made it up to the top of the rock the queue was enormous. So if you are thinking of doing the cable car, make sure you are off the ship early and yomp your way straight there, or better still get a taxi.
Oscar is not very good with all things that go up high and sway, so we were a bit apprehensive that we would get to the doors of the cable car and he would flatly refuse to budge, no such worries he was on board and holding on for all he was worth like the rest of us.
The monkeys were totally relaxed, about our visit, to the point of boredom when they realised that all things edible had been safely stowed out of their grasp. We spent around an hour or so walking around the top of the rock, taking snaps of the monkey’s lack of interest and feeling decidedly queasy when we looked down the sheer drop on the other side. Our journey down was uneventful except for a very smelly (fat) woman stood next to Olivia and I. She seemed to have a knack for lifting her arms just as the breeze blowing through the window came in our direction… pewwww!
Olivia and I were commenting and laughing about it as we walked away from the cable car station. Debra and Oscar were walking about ten yards behind us and Debra being Debra was curious to know what we were going on about. She called out to Olivia “what was that you said….. were you stood next to a smelly woman?” just as she and Oscar walked past said woman… suffice to say that Olivia and I burst out into uncontrollable laughter and ran off down the street. The smelly woman and her husband are cruising along on the same ship as us, Olivia spotted her in the Windjammer sat alone for some reason!
We are now on route to Toulon France. The ocean is like a millpond and the view from deck of the Spanish coastline is spectacular. Oscar and Olivia have both been on the flowrider and are busy trying to persuade me that it is a good thing for me to do… I don’t believe them but I am sure they will get their way eventually….
Stay Tuned To See If The Next Ambulance Arriving At Port Is For A Forty Something Bloke Who Thinks He Can Surf!
As soon as we docked the sound of sirens getting closer was ominous, some poor sod had been taken ill and it was obviously serious enough to require hospital treatment. He was strechered into the awaiting ambulance and his Wife was duly dumped off the ship along with their belongings. A thought passed briefly through my head….. I wonder if their cabin was better than ours and was a free upgrade on the cards? Or even better could we dump the kids into it for the rest of the cruise…..?
Exiting the ship and the walk into town was a breeze. We headed straight for the cable car. We got there just in time as the queue was tolerable. By the time we made it up to the top of the rock the queue was enormous. So if you are thinking of doing the cable car, make sure you are off the ship early and yomp your way straight there, or better still get a taxi.
Oscar is not very good with all things that go up high and sway, so we were a bit apprehensive that we would get to the doors of the cable car and he would flatly refuse to budge, no such worries he was on board and holding on for all he was worth like the rest of us.
The monkeys were totally relaxed, about our visit, to the point of boredom when they realised that all things edible had been safely stowed out of their grasp. We spent around an hour or so walking around the top of the rock, taking snaps of the monkey’s lack of interest and feeling decidedly queasy when we looked down the sheer drop on the other side. Our journey down was uneventful except for a very smelly (fat) woman stood next to Olivia and I. She seemed to have a knack for lifting her arms just as the breeze blowing through the window came in our direction… pewwww!
Olivia and I were commenting and laughing about it as we walked away from the cable car station. Debra and Oscar were walking about ten yards behind us and Debra being Debra was curious to know what we were going on about. She called out to Olivia “what was that you said….. were you stood next to a smelly woman?” just as she and Oscar walked past said woman… suffice to say that Olivia and I burst out into uncontrollable laughter and ran off down the street. The smelly woman and her husband are cruising along on the same ship as us, Olivia spotted her in the Windjammer sat alone for some reason!
We are now on route to Toulon France. The ocean is like a millpond and the view from deck of the Spanish coastline is spectacular. Oscar and Olivia have both been on the flowrider and are busy trying to persuade me that it is a good thing for me to do… I don’t believe them but I am sure they will get their way eventually….
Stay Tuned To See If The Next Ambulance Arriving At Port Is For A Forty Something Bloke Who Thinks He Can Surf!
The Cruise Begins
Day one began with an early start and two grumpy but slightly excited kids to contend with.
The drive went without a hitch except for a few detours around Birmingham and trying to be a clever sod by going into gate 10 when I should have gone in gate 8 at Southampton docks. Once there it was a breeze, all credit to the staff for making it so. We were having lunch in the Windjammer restaurant by 11.30 and we set sail at 16.30, which gave us plenty of time to explore the boat, alright, alright, it gave us plenty of time to park our arses at the first bar we came to in the enormous central promenade and sample the brew.
Sail away was something of an emotional experience, don’t ask me why as I couldn’t put a finger on it, suffice to say we were both quite emotional. I guess it has been an emotional few years, for Debra especially and it’s times like these that bring home just how lucky we are to be able to do such things, whatever the reason we were very emotional, and when the horn went off we all jumped out of our skin!!
The weather has been kind to us so far, although very cold when we left it hasn’t rained and we have had some bracing walks along the deck, yesterday (Sunday) afternoon the sun appeared and the pool area suddenly became attractive, especially the heated whirlpool areas, well we were still in the Bay Of Biscay with a very bracing wind! Olivia has done her usual water baby routine and Oscar has surprised us all by his enthusiasm, from trying escargot (that’s snails to you and me) to donning his Tuxedo for the first formal evening of the cruise, he has been brilliant.
Yesterday evening we stood on our balcony and the treat that Debra has been waiting for happened…. Yes she actually got to see real live dolphins piercing through the water, leaping across the swell of the water at the bow of the ship, suffice to say she is a happy camper.
The drive went without a hitch except for a few detours around Birmingham and trying to be a clever sod by going into gate 10 when I should have gone in gate 8 at Southampton docks. Once there it was a breeze, all credit to the staff for making it so. We were having lunch in the Windjammer restaurant by 11.30 and we set sail at 16.30, which gave us plenty of time to explore the boat, alright, alright, it gave us plenty of time to park our arses at the first bar we came to in the enormous central promenade and sample the brew.
Sail away was something of an emotional experience, don’t ask me why as I couldn’t put a finger on it, suffice to say we were both quite emotional. I guess it has been an emotional few years, for Debra especially and it’s times like these that bring home just how lucky we are to be able to do such things, whatever the reason we were very emotional, and when the horn went off we all jumped out of our skin!!
The weather has been kind to us so far, although very cold when we left it hasn’t rained and we have had some bracing walks along the deck, yesterday (Sunday) afternoon the sun appeared and the pool area suddenly became attractive, especially the heated whirlpool areas, well we were still in the Bay Of Biscay with a very bracing wind! Olivia has done her usual water baby routine and Oscar has surprised us all by his enthusiasm, from trying escargot (that’s snails to you and me) to donning his Tuxedo for the first formal evening of the cruise, he has been brilliant.
Yesterday evening we stood on our balcony and the treat that Debra has been waiting for happened…. Yes she actually got to see real live dolphins piercing through the water, leaping across the swell of the water at the bow of the ship, suffice to say she is a happy camper.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
3 To Go, What Have I Forgot To Do?
Three days until we are off on our holidays and amazingly everything is running like clockwork so far.
The currency, clobber, sun tan lotion, paperwork, route planning, excursion booking, drinks packages and even the obligatory hair cuts are all sorted. Obviously I am checking and re-checking that I have the tickets, passports and cash as I always do, but they all seem to be still there just waiting to be picked up on Saturday morning. The feeling of hiatus is beginning to worry me now. There must be something that I have missed, bloody hell we have been on weekend trips before and I have forgotten to pack a single shirt, or picked up my brown shoes only to discover the left and right don't match, except for the colour. I must stop panicking, it will all be ok, Debra will be in the background checking everything is just so. I am in the clear, nothing to worry about.
Arrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhh just remembered we still need to PACK!
The currency, clobber, sun tan lotion, paperwork, route planning, excursion booking, drinks packages and even the obligatory hair cuts are all sorted. Obviously I am checking and re-checking that I have the tickets, passports and cash as I always do, but they all seem to be still there just waiting to be picked up on Saturday morning. The feeling of hiatus is beginning to worry me now. There must be something that I have missed, bloody hell we have been on weekend trips before and I have forgotten to pack a single shirt, or picked up my brown shoes only to discover the left and right don't match, except for the colour. I must stop panicking, it will all be ok, Debra will be in the background checking everything is just so. I am in the clear, nothing to worry about.
Arrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhh just remembered we still need to PACK!
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